Category Archives: Christian Living

Justo Gonzales, on The Changing Shape of Church History

Posted on September 14, 2019 by Joe Ginder

Justo Gonzales closes his book The Changing Shape of Church History: No longer can the church claim the religious hegemony it once had… Many Christians think that thIs means that the church is losing is power, and yearn with nostalgia … Continue reading →

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Unconditional Love or Unconditional Affirmation

Posted on March 5, 2019 by Joe Ginder

Unconditional affirmation and unconditional love are not the same thing. To demand the former is to actually exclude the latter. Sam Allberry

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antichrist church

Posted on March 5, 2019 by Joe Ginder

The cultivation of consumer spirituality is the antithesis of a sacrificial, “deny yourself” congregation. A consumer church is an antichrist church. Eugene Peterson

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Using a form of Lectio Divina for personal meditation

Posted on February 26, 2018 by Joe Ginder

This is a very brief “cheat sheet” on using lectio divina in times of personal solitude with God. Summary Be alone. Prepare your heart and mind. Then: Read – Out loud? Repeat. Reflect – Think it over. What stands out? … Continue reading →

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Notes from the Other Side – Jane Kenyon

Posted on December 21, 2017 by Joe Ginder

I divested myself of despair and fear when I came here. Now there is no more catching one’s own eye in the mirror, there are no bad books, no plastic, no insurance premiums, and of course no illness. Contrition does … Continue reading →

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Alan Jacobs’ “The Politics of Long Joy”

Posted on December 9, 2017 by Joe Ginder

Alan Jacobs has re-cycled an excellent essay he wrote ten years ago as a column for the late lamented Books & Culture. He found what he had to say then particularly apropos to the present day. I don’t recall reading … Continue reading →

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Advent Calendars

Posted on November 25, 2017 by Joe Ginder

I’m writing this on November 25. There is just enough time to get an Advent calendar to use for yourself or with your children to work your way through the Christmas season with daily reminders of what it means to … Continue reading →

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Asking the Wrong Question: Can a person come to God through general revelation?

Posted on July 15, 2017 by Joe Ginder

Often, theologians divide revelation into general and special, and mean by “general” what can be known of God through nature. By “special” they essentially mean biblical revelation or at least the explicit gospel. So the question comes down to “can … Continue reading →

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Love is the Hardest Lesson in Christianity

Posted on April 6, 2017 by Joe Ginder

Love is the hardest lesson in Christianity; but, for that reason, it should be most our care to learn it. —William Penn

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Growth and Asking Questions